delineation

noun

de·​lin·​ea·​tion di-ˌli-nē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce delineation (audio)
dē-
1
: the act of outlining or representing something with lines or words : the act of delineating
the delineation of a scene
… the delineation of the territories allotted to the seven tribes of Israel …Adam Nicholson
2
: something made by delineating
a photographic delineation of low lifeT. S. Eliot
delineative adjective

Examples of delineation in a Sentence

his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes a finely wrought delineation of a young woman's first experience with romantic love
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The big picture: The judiciary is by far the most powerful institutional check on the power of the government in Israel's parliamentary system, where there is no clear delineation between the executive and legislative branches. Barak Ravid, Axios, 27 Mar. 2025 Are there clear delineations in the living space? R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025 This delineation casts other digital assets as more speculative instruments, lacking the unique status afforded to bitcoin. Edan Yago, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Pattinson manages a fine and witty character delineation between good-hearted, passive #17 and steely, brutal #18. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for delineation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin dēlīneātiōn-, dēlīneātiō "description," from Latin dēlīneāre "to trace the outline of, delineate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of delineation was in 1570

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Cite this Entry

“Delineation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineation. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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